Mental Flexibility

Mental flexibility can be defined as our ability to shift perspective and encounter new problems with fresh eyes.

At Onward, we love exploring this topic within our corporate well-being programs. In recent years, we’ve offered deep-dive workshops on topics including mental flexibility and resilience, to help individuals and teams feel clear-minded and creative, both at work and at play.

Why do we need mental flexibility?

When we train the mind to overcome old habits and adapt to new circumstances, we become smarter problem-solvers and more creative in our solutions. If recent year have taught us anything, it’s that change is inevitable and in order to ‘go with the flow’ we’re better off hitting refresh on our mindset than banging our head against a wall (although we’re sure the latter option has felt tempting at times).

So what can we do develop this cognitive function? How do we become more mentally flexible?

1. Adopting a beginner’s mind

Letting go of what we think we know - can help us to let go of habitual patterns and rather see new situations with fresh eyes. Meditation and mindfulness practices help us notice habitual thought patterns and consciously train the mind to take a fresh perspective, starting from a place of genuine curiosity.

2. Changing our scenery

Perhaps more straightforward than the first option, getting ourselves into new environments - this can be as simple as taking a new route on afternoon walks, rearranging the furniture (can feel like a holiday at home!) or diving into a documentary from an unfamiliar genre, culture or decade.

3. Making time for play & creativity

The brain thrives when we mix things up. Taking a break from work with some kind of playful or creative activity (dancing to feel-good music, drawing, photography, cooking your favourite childhood dishes) can be a great way to add variety to the brain’s ways of working and ideally inspire some new ideas when you return to the desk.